Do you have a stack of receiving blankets somewhere? A receiving blanket is a great economical gift, so a favorite choice by many. Combine your receiving blankets into a comfy bed cover. This quilt fits a single bed and now you get to see those little blankets snuggled under once again! Here are some directions:

Cut 54 squares 8 1/2" x 81/2" out of your old receiving blankets
Cut borders 2" strips (Enough to go between each square and the bottom of each row) out of scrap material

Sew the squares with a 1/4 " seam together by joining them with a 2 " by 8 1/2" strip between them until you have a long box car looking row. Then cut another 2" wide piece and lay it out the length of the row. For the top row attach one of these pieces on the top and bottom. For each row after that attach a piece onto the bottom.
Every exact measurement is not here. If you've never made a quilt before, you'll be surprised how easy piecing it together is. You are basically framing a bunch of squares with borders. Once I finished the quilt top I put an old blanket in the middle of the sandwich and then I put an old flannel sheet on the back. I tied the quilt, which means I took pieces of colorful ribbon and punched them through with a big needle and tied them. Some of the ribbon has freyed with the many washings the quilt has seen.
To bind the edges you can buy a wide binding at the fabric store (2") or you can cut your own and iron under each edge by 1/4 ". Sew one side of the binding on with your machine and then fold the other half down and slip stitch it around. Now you have a family heirloom you'll want to pass down to your kids and their kids.